Get a California Medical Marijuana Card

2 documents needed to apply for the California medical marijuana identification card program

To apply for a medical marijuana card in California, you must follow a few essential steps to ensure your eligibility and successful registration. The process begins by gathering the necessary documents and information, securing a medical marijuana recommendation, and providing proof of identity.

1. Proof of Identity
   Driver’s license, state ID, passport, or government-issued photo ID card.
2. Medical Marijuana Recommendation
   Consult with a registered MMJ physician who can evaluate your condition and provide a recommendation. It is essential to choose a physician who is experienced in treating patients with your specific condition, as they will be able to provide the necessary certification that forms a critical part of your application.

Next steps after approval

Using Your California Medical Marijuana Recommendation

1. Download the pdf of your doctor’s recommendation letter from your Leafwell patient dashboard.
2. Save it to your device.
3. You can start using this electronic copy immediately at a licensed medical dispensary*. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation letter and, if you chose our $59 plan, a physician-issued Leafwell patient ID card in the mail within 7-10 business days.*Please note that a recreational dispensary may not accept the electronic recommendation and may require a hard copy letter.
4. Once you receive your hard copy recommendation, you can then legally purchase medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary. To purchase medical marijuana you will need to bring a hard copy of your Leafwell doctor’s recommendation letter or your Leafwell patient ID card, and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, with you to the dispensary.

OPTIONAL: Register for the CA MMIC program at your local county office.

The state registration is completely optional. This allows you to obtain a state-issued card.

Why register?

• You will not have to pay sales and use tax when making retail medical marijuana purchases.
• A Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) identifies you as protected under Proposition 215 and Senate Bill 94.
• An MMIC helps law enforcement identify you as legally allowed to possess certain amounts of cannabis under specific conditions.

Registration Fees

• These vary county to county but the maximum you can be charged is $100.
• A 50% fee reduction is issued per card if you are eligible for Medi-Cal.
• Fees are waived for indigent patients who are eligible for and participate in, the Country Medical Services Program.

Registration Process

1. This process requires an in-person application at your county office.
2. You will receive an official state-issued card, and any dispensary or law enforcement agency can verify your patient number online immediately.
3. It is your option to designate a primary caregiver and apply for their identification card at the time you submit your application.
4. You will need to provide your certifying physician’s information (supplied in the PDF emailed to you after the appointment) as well as which medical board certified them:
   1. Dr. Abdulla – Medical Board of California
   2. Dr. Chang – Medical Board of California
   3. Dr. Epstein – Osteopathic Medical Board of California
   4. Dr. Jassey – Osteopathic Medical Board of California
   5. Dr. Moreland – Medical Board of California
   6. Dr. Niles – Medical Board of California
   7. Dr. Steinhardt – Medical Board of California

How to renew your medical marijuana ID card

There is no difference between getting a recommendation letter as an existing cardholder or as a new medical cannabis patient.

Here is the process for getting your renewal letter:

1. Sign in to your Leafwell account or register as a renewal patient.
2. Speak to a California-licensed physician online.
3. Get approved and download an electronic version of your recommendation letter.
4. Purchase cannabis from a licensed medical dispensary. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation in the mail within 3-5 business days.

Legal limitations for California cardholders

As a medical marijuana cardholder or user with an ID number on the registry, knowing what your card/ID number permits is essential. While recreational and medical cannabis are both legal in California, you must be aware of several laws.

Medical cannabis regulation regarding possession is important to consider. You cannot exceed the equivalent possession amounts if you carry both concentrate and flower. This means you cannot have both an ounce of dried cannabis flower and eight grams of concentrate simultaneously.

Some restrictions apply to both recreational and medical marijuana users alike. They include:

• No smoking cannabis where smoking tobacco is not permitted.
• No smoking cannabis in public unless allowed by public ordinance; doing so could result in a fine, especially if you are near a government building, public park, main street, or anywhere where there might be large congregations of children.
• Using cannabis while driving is illegal. You cannot legally drive when under the influence of cannabis, and any cannabis kept in the car with you must be kept locked away and out of sight. Passengers in the vehicle are not legally allowed to consume cannabis while in a vehicle.
• You cannot ingest cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center, or youth center unless you are in a private residence and any cannabis smell or smoke is not detectable by children.
• Any cannabis must be kept out of reach of children. Treat it as you would any other medication and lock it away. Your Second Amendment right to bear arms is also affected.

California medical marijuana program caregiver rules

Medical cannabis caregivers must be at least 18 and meet the following criteria to apply:

• The person you care for is legally entitled to use medical marijuana.
• You meet the legal definition of a primary caregiver under the Compassionate Use Act. “Primary caregiver” means the individual designated by the person exempted under this section who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person.

Primary caregivers may possess and cultivate an amount of marijuana reasonably related to the patient’s current medical needs. A caregiver may apply for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) but does not need to do this, just as patients don’t need a card.

Can you use a California medical marijuana ID card in other states?

California does not have medical marijuana reciprocity. Thankfully, since the state does allow for adult-use cannabis sales, you do not need your medical card from another state to buy cannabis in California as long as you are over 21.

Many other states and territories, however, have medical marijuana reciprocity and accept out-of-state cards. However, most states require a state-issued card like the MMIC, so a regular California recommendation may not be accepted for reciprocity in the following states:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

Minor patient information

Minors under 18 can have caregivers apply on their behalf. Like adult patients, minors must obtain a qualified healthcare provider’s recommendation.

During the application process, minors must designate a caregiver, who must submit their own application and identifying materials.

May I purchase medical marijuana with only my doctor’s recommendation letter, or do I need the State of California’s Medical Marijuana Identification Card?

Yes, you can purchase medical marijuana in California (and in some other states) with only your doctor’s recommendation letter.

While some states permit California patients to purchase medical marijuana while visiting, most dispensaries will require you to have the official California Medical Marijuana Identification Card and will not accept your doctor’s recommendation letter. Click here for more information on applying for the California Medical Marijuana Identification Card.